Cash register and computing



June 1, 1937.

A. ERRERA CASH REGISTER AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1933 5Sheets-Sheet l j'm /ewfar:

AttazLo [Iv-era 1 Afar um. um mm June 1, 1937.

A. ERRERA CASH REGISTER AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1935 Fig. 2

10 ll-ll'z IIIIW lk-lll 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 83 AAZ-ZL/QZLIO Amme June 1,1937. ERRERA 2,082,155

CASH REGISTER AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet s June1937- A. ERRERAY CASH REGISTER AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 23, 19335 Sheets-Sheet 4 [xv-era June 1, 1937. A, ERRERA 2,082,155

CASH REGISTER AND COMPUTING MACHINE Filed May 23, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5".lm, 9" 530 .2 l a Q .201 lOO :mn'v ATTILIO ERRERA Patented June 1,1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Attilio Ell'elfa, Turin, Italy.

Application May 23, 1933, Se ial No. 672,495

In Italy June 11,

4 Claims.

This invention relates in general to cash registers and computingmachines and more particularly has reference to cash registersandcomputing machines provided with mechanism for 5 issuing tickets orreceipts containing a printed amount alone or .together with a printedcharacter, indicia, word or abbreviation, indicating the service forwhich the ticket is purchased or the merchandise for which the ticket orreceipt is issued.

The major object of this invention is to provide a. cash register orcomputing machine adapted to issue a printed ticket or receipt andequipped with master keys with means for efiecting by the manipulationof a single master key the simultaneous setting'in or entering in themachine by a single operation of a numerical amount composed of one ormore digits which in an ordinary cash register would require the use ofa plurality of keys.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a cash register orcomputing machine adapted to issue a printed ticket or receipt andequipped with master keys with means for effecting by the manipulationof a single master key the simultaneous setting in or entering in themachine by a single operation of a numerical amount composed of one ormore digits which in an ordinary cash register would require the use ofa plurality of keys and also the setting in or entering in the machineof the desired characters or indicia to be printed on the ticket withthe numerical amount by the same single operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a cash registeror computing machine adapted to issue a printed ticket or receipt andequipped with a plurality of master keys with means for effecting by themanipulation of one of said master keys the simultaneous setting in orentering in the machine by a single operation of a numerical amountcomposed of oneor more digits which in an ordinary cash register wouldrequire the use of a plurality of keys and also the setting in orentering in the machine of the desired characters or indicia to beprinted on the ticket with the numerical amount by the same singleoperation and in which the master keys are removable and replaceable byother master keys constructed for setting in or entering any 5 desirednumber capable of being entered in the machine.

A .still further object of this invention is to provide a cash registeror computing machine adapted to issue a printed ticket or receipt andequipped with a bank of keys for 'efiecting by the manipulation of oneof such keys the entering in the machine of any separate digit andcharacter within the machine range, and also equipped with master keyswith means for effecting by the manipulation of one of said master keysthe simultaneous setting in or entering in the machine by a singleoperation of a numerical amount composed of a plurality of digits andalso of characters which wouldtrequire the use of a plurality of keys ofsaid bank.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cash register orcomputing machine with means for counting the number of operationseffected by each of the master keys.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists ,in the parts and combinations tobehereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied inconstruction, proportions and arrangement without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality ofgroups of platesare provided for cooperation with members for setting in or enteringnumerals and characters in the machine to transmit setting in orentering motion to said setting in or entering members, these membersbeing arranged in rows and columns in the 'machine. A plate is providedfor each member .and the plates for members being in the same row in allof the columns are grouped. For instance,

, the plate associated with digit 2 in the tens column, digit 2 in theunits column, digit 2 in the tenths column, and digit 2 in thehundredths column, are all grouped together. The various plate groupsare arranged in superposed relation so that a plurality of openingsformed in each of the plates will be in perfect alignment. The platesfor setting in or entering the tens digits have teeth or lugs associatedwith the plurality of openings formed therein. The plates for setting inor entering the units have similar teeth positioned somewhatdifierently, and the plates for setting in or entering the tenths andhundredths are similarly provided with teeth which are respectivelystill'difierently positioned. The teeth in the plates for setting in orentering any particular column of digits are all identically positioned.

A master key provided with cam surfaces is threaded through any alignedrow of openings and the cams formed thereon are located to engage withthe teeth of predetermined plates and one tens plate, one units plate,one tenths plate,

and one hundredths plate are simultaneously shifted to effect setting inor entering of the desired digits. The machine is so designed that thenumber of ordinal places is determined by the number of plates and thenumber of numerical quantities is determined by the number of masterkeys. Of course, when either or any of such plates is not to beoperated, the respective cam or cams of the master key is or areomitted.

Since usually there are a certain few multi digit numbers entered by aparticular operator such as, for instance, a ticket seller, only a fewmaster keys are required, but if necessary as many master keys asdesired may be used and interchanged with others for setting in orentering selected numbers. 4

Further, any desired item or digit, capable of being entered by themachine but not provided for by the particular master keys embodied in'the machine may be set in or entered by means of independent keysprovided for that purpose, each actuating one of said setting in orentering members separately.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practicaleffect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applicationsto the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation,have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of-' the essential parts ofthe setting-in means of a cash register according with this invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the essential parts of a cashregister;

Figure 3 shows a separate part of the register;

Figure 4 shows another separate part of the register;

Figure 5 shows a further separate part ofthe register;

Figure 6 shows a still further separate ,part of the register.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary and diagrammatical vertical section of severalgroups of setting in or entering members in cooperation with theirrespective manipulating members.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view of a manipulating member;

Figure 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Figure 8 of saidmanipulating member;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view of another construction ofmanipulating member;

Figure 11 is a section on line l|li (Figure 10) of the manipulatingmember of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary side view of a' further constructionofmanipulating member;

Figure 13 is a section of the manipulating member of Figure 12 on line I3l9 thereof.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view of a portion of an setting in orentering member with means for cooperation with the manipulating memberof Figures 12 and 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 14 of a portionofanother setting in or entering member;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 14 of a portion of afurther setting in or entering member;

Figure 1'7 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 14 of a portion of astill further Setting in or entering member.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatical. fragmentary section of means forinterlocking the manipulating members, on line I8-i8 of Figure 20;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatlcal fragmentary section of means forinterlocking the manipulating members, on line l9-|9 of Figure 20; wFigure 20 is a fragmentary diagrammatical section on line 2il20 ofFigure 19;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary diagrammatic section on line 2|-2i of Figure18 showing means for operation of counters by said manipulating means.

Fig. 22 is a detailed view in section illustrating a side view of amaster key.

- Fig. 23 is an end view of a master key such as shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 25 is a schematic representation of the keyboard of the machine ofthe present invention.

Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 25, illustrating I 12, and I3 so thatentries may be made of values I varying from 0000 to 9999.

Of course, the machine may be organized to deal with entries over alarger number of columns and if desired, a number of the sections of themachine, instead of being used to set in or enter figures, may be usedto set her enter other characters, indicative of classes of services,kind of articles, or other characters having a defined relation withfigures or characters of other -col umns or devices. For instance, asshown in F18. 26 certain of the keys (i. e., columns I0 and II) may bedesigned to enter letters so that an item such as BD69 could be entered.

In the embodiment illustrated the machine comprises four columns ofsetting in or entering members, each of these columns including flgures0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. As usual in computing and equivalentmachines, 0 is set in or entered and printed automatically in anycolumn" 'members comprises a guide frame i in which fingers 2.l, 2.2,.29; 3.! 3.9; Ll 4.9; 5.l 5.9 are mounted to reciprocate; each of saidfingers is actuated by a setting in or entering member consisting of areciprocating plate 9.|, |.l, SJ, 9.! 6.9, 1.9, 8.9, 9.9 actuated by anindividual manipulating member or key "Li, J, l2.l, l3.l-. 1.9, .9,l2.9,- I19.

Frame l with fingers 2 5 and respective actuating members 6 9 connectedtherewith provide'in their whole the equivalent of usual setting orentering members of cash registers and said fingers are provided eachwith a retum spring (not shown) operative between it and frame I toresiliently hold said finger and respective plate in the illustratedposition, which is conventional as shownby British Patent No.

- other fingers.

9460/1897 (Figs. 1' and 4) and French Patent No.

616,322 (element 32, Fig. 3).

As apparent from Figure 1, the four plates 6.1, LI, 8|, 9| are intendedto set in or enter digit 1 in several columns of tens, units, tenths andhundredths, the plates 6.2, 1.2, 8.2, 9.2 are intended to set in orenter digit 2 in said columns and so on, but inthe followingspecification the whole of said plates is referred to as plates 6,

l, 8, 9 as they operate in a similar manner. The same remark applies tokeys and other parts some of which are referred to by their referencewith a digit 1 9 affixed thereto to evidence the particular digit theyare devoted to in their operation.

Each of said plates 6, l, 8,9 comprises a lug M which acts on therespective finger when a particular plate is shifted, without acting onThe lugs M are connected to the respective fingers by welding thevertical portion I4 of lugs l4 being provided to give a broader weldingsurface. The manipulation of the several keys H), ll, l2, l3 serves forsetting in or entering any desired digit and amount in the machine.

The several plates 6, l, 8, 9 may be actuated in selected groups bymeans of a manipulating item key 83 having means arranged to cooperateonly with those plates 6-9 associated with the figures providing theitem or amount to be set in or entered by such key in the machine. Forinstance, if 43.25 is to be set in or entered in the machine, the key isprovided with four cam lugs positioned to actuate only plates 8.4, 1.3,8.2, and 9.5, respectively. Said manipulating keys may be in any desirednumber, as. permitted by the construction of the particular machine, andeach of them is constructed to set in or enter the desired item oramount in the machine.

For this purpose, each plate 6, l, 8, and 9 includes a number of slots I5, I6, I1, and I8, respectively (see Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6). All of saidslots in each given plate are identical with each other.

In the embodiment shown, there are nine groups of plates, each groupcontaining four digits at a time. The slots in the nine platesdesignated by reference numeral 6 are identical and like slot l5 of Fig.3. The slots formed in the nine plates 1 are all like slot I6 of Fig. 4,the slots formed in the nine plates 8 are all like slot ll of Fig. 5,and the slots formed in the nine plates 9 are all like slot l8 of Fig.6.

It will be noted that the slots of all plates are somewhat similar,differing only in the tooth or lug formed in the right portion thereof,which is described more in detail hereinafter. This permits all of theplates to be assembled with the slots substantially aligned, so thatoperating keys 83 may be threaded through the slots of all plates.

The number of slots l5, l6, l1, [8 in each plate 6, l, 8, 9 correspondswith the number of predetermined items or amounts for which the machineis designed.

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show the configuration of the four plates 6, I, 8,9 of each group. Each of said plates includes a series of slots I5, [6,l1, l8 each having a projecting tooth I9, 28, 2|, 22 adapted tocooperate with a tooth 23, 24, 25, 26 of the key 83. As shown in thedrawings, slots l5, l6, l1, l8 embody a region having the same contourin the several plates to permit for the free respective reciprocation ofthe stem of the key 83, as well as to provide for the free reciprocationof the plates. Furthermore, said teeth is, 20, 2l, 22 are staggered inthe several plates of each group as 6.l, Ll, 8.1, 9.! and they .areidentical and located in the same respective position in the plateswhich correspond with each.

other in the several groups as 6.|, 6.2, 6.3 so that the key 83 ashereinafter described may impart an independent action to any plate ofany o p- Each manipulating key 83 adapted to enter a predeterminedamount or item consists of parts 21, 28, 29, 30, whose number is equalto that of the plates 6, I, 8, 9 of each group, and each of said partsmay comprise a cam or slope tooth 23, 24, 25, 26 having such a positionin the cross-section of the key 83 as to cooperate with one of theplates belonging to different orders or columns of digits. Further, eachtooth has such a position on the longitudinal extent of the key 83 as toactuate such plate 6, 1, 8, 9 in a.

single one of said several groups. Therefore, for each column of fingers2, 3, 4, 5, said key 83 acts on the particular plate 6, l, 8, 9 whichactuates the finger 2, 3, 4, 5 corresponding with the particular digitto be set in or entered in the machine in a particular column.

When key 83 is required to actuate plates for effecting variousoperations besides the setting in or entering of numbers by the platescorresponding with the numeral, it is of course provided with requiredteeth located in an appropriate manner. In Figs. 3-6, the key 83actuates by its part 21 a plate 6 in the tens column, by its part 28 itactuates a plate I in the units column, by part 29 a plate 8 in thetenths column, and finally by part 38 one of the plates 9 in thehundredths column.

Any desired numerical value within the range of the machine may be setin or entered by one of the keys 83. must be provided for each value tobe set in or entered. In practice, the apparatus according to thepresent invention is widely used by ticket sellers who sell tickets forvarious determined amounts. For instance in the case of a theater boxofiice, there may be tickets sold at twelve different prices. For suchuse, twelve keys 83, each constructed to set in or enter a differentamount in the machine, would be required.

If the prices are changed, the keys 83 may be replaced by other keys 83each constructed to set in or enter the amount of a new price in themachine.

More or less keys 83 may be required, depending on the use to which themachine is to be put. In the drawings, twenty-four apertures areprovided in the plates, and therefore twenty-four master keys may beused and twenty-four predetermined amounts may be set in or entered, butif the service in which the machine is to be placed requires more thantwenty-four predetermined amounts and master keys as 83, the machine maybe made with plates having the necessary number of apertures.

When the operator manipulates a particular key 83 corresponding with apredetermined item or amount, which is assumed to include four digits,said key shifts four plates 6, l, 8, 8 (or a less number thereof shouldone or more of the figures be a Each of said plates 6, I, 8, 9corresponds with a different column of the series of columns of fingers2, 3, 4, and may correspond with any of digits 1-9 of each column.Therefore, by the manipulation of a single key 83, which correspondswith the desired item or Of course, a separate key 83 tained should theoperator actuate a key in each of the columns of tens, units, tenths andhundredths respectively.

When one or more of the orders or columns of fingers 2, 3, 4, 5corresponds or correspond with characters other than figures, the plateswhich have been shifted in said orders 'or columns will set in or enterthese characters in the machine for printing. These characters are thenprinted adjacent to the amount or item set in or entered in the machineby other plates 6, I, 8, 9.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings, characters I, 2, 3 9 marked within a circleat a side of each group of plates 6, 1, 8, 9 show the digits of the rowsof the assembly of Fig. 1 which are set in or entered in the machine inthe several columns by the actuation of the plates of the respectivegroup. Further in the drawings parts or sections of the key 83 arepartially removed in order to illustrate throughout the different pointsof the key the cooperation of its several parts or sections withcooperating plates. In Fig. '7, a key 83 constructed to set in or enterin the machine the amount or item 23.75 is shown depressed and tooth 23of key part 21 has shifted plate 6 of the second group to set in orenter digit 2 in the column of tens, the tooth 24 of key part 28 hasshifted plate I of the third group to set in or enter digit 3 in thecolumn of units and teeth 25 and 26 of key parts 29 and 30 haverespectively shifted plate 8 of the seventh group in the column oftenths and plate 9 of the fifth group in the column of hundredths. Noneof the plates of groups I, 4, 6, 8, 9 has been shifted.

Thus by manipulating a single key 83 the digits providing the desiredcombined amount or item are set in or entered in the machine. Asintimated, the combined or predetermined amount or item includes fourdigits in the case now exemplified, but it could include any number ofdigits within a maximum number depending upon the number of slidingplates 6, l, 8, 9 in each group.

Of course, the number of combined or predetermined amounts which may beset in or entered in the machine depends upon the number of slots of theplates of several groups and upon the number of keys 83 used in themachine.

Each of the keys 83 may consist of strips 21, 28, 29, 36 having asuitable cross section and fastened on the side of each other as shownin Figs. 8 and 9. If desired, each key may include a bar 83 having across section which will not engage any of the teeth of any of theplates. In this form of construction separate teeth 23', 24', 25, 26'adapted to actuate the plates in the desired columns are fastened onsaid bar by means of screws 32 as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

It is also possible to arrange the operative members of the key as shownin Figs. 12 and 13. In this instance, the bar 83" of the key may includetwo T-shaped sections to which teeth 23, 24, 25', 26 are fastened in thedesired locations on said sections.

When keys 83, constructed as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, are employed, theslots or apertures in plates 6, 1, 8, and 9 must be formed differentlyfrom those previously described. Figs. 14, 15, 16,

and 1'7 illustrate the positions which the teeth or lugs I9, 20', 2| and22' occupy in the slots l5, l6, l1, and I8, respectively. When a keysuch as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is threaded through aligned aperturesl5, IS, IT, and 18', the teeth or cams are positioned so that 23' willengage tooth 19' in one of the plates 6, 24 will engage tooth 20' in oneof the plates I, 25' will engage tooth 2| in one of the plates 8, and26' will engage tooth 22 in one of the plates 9.

The operation of the device in its embodiment in a cash register ishereinafter described.

In the illustrated construction, the members 33, 34, and 35 (Fig. 2)diagrammatically represent pinions intended to drive conventionalindicating, printing and totalizing devices usually embodied in cashregisters, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of British Patent No.9400/1897, in Fig. 4 of French Patent No. 616,322, and in Fig. 5 of theaforementioned British patent, said members 33, 34, and 35corresponding, respectively, with the parts K, 34 and D of the abovepatents, respectively. The pinions 33, 34 and 35 are operated by slides36 provided with rack teeth (not illustrated because of diagrammaticshowing) which mesh with said pinions. The slides 36 correspond to thetoothed segments I of the above British patent in that they mesh withpinions for driving indicating printing and totalizing devices. columnof figures or characters. The slides 36 are actuated by a carriage 3'!which is connected by link 38 with one arm of a bell-crank lever 39fulcrumed at 40. Cam followers 44 and 45 are carried by the arms oflever 39 in engagement with cams 4| and 42, respectively, which arefixed on shaft 43. Upon rotation of shaft 43, the cams 4| and 42 willcause lever 39 to rock about its fulcrum and impart reciprocatorymovement to carriage 31.

Each slide 36 has a pawl 46 fulcrumed thereon at 41 which is adapted toengage a notch 48 provided in carriage 31 for connecting the slide tothe carriage, so that the slide will be moved together with thecarriage. Pawl 46 has a nose 49 adapted to cooperate with notches 50 ina bar 5| carried by frame I and a pawl stop 52 adapted to engage one ofthe pins or fingers 2, 3, 4, 5 which has been shifted into operativeposition by the setting in or entering operation.

When none of the pins or fingers are shifted to a position to engage thestop pawl 52, the latter is engaged by a finger 53 which, upon enteringa digit in the column, is removed by a mechanism corresponding to thatindicated by reference characters 30, 32, 34, and 35 in Fig. 4 of FrenchPatent No. 551,417 and described in lines 50-55 of page 3 thereof, thepart 35 of this patent corresponding to the element 53 of the presentapplication.

When a set in or entering operation is carried out by manipulatingeither of keys 83 (or In, H, l2, 13), one of the fingers 2, 3, 4, 5 ofthe diiferent columns is moved forward towards its cooperating slide 36and then the cam shaft 43 is operated for an upward and a subsequentdownward stroke in the operation of the cash register. In said upwardstroke of the carriage 31 the nose of pawl 46 of cooperating slide 36(such slide having the position in which it has been left at the end ofa previous operation of the machine) engages notch 48 and therefore saidslide 36 is moved back into its O-pcsition by carriage 31.

Thereafter, the slide 36 is driven by the car- A separate slide 36 isprovided for each" 33, 34, 35 to an extent proportional with thenumerical value which has been set in or entered in the respectivecolumn.

The described device may include keys actuating separately the severalplates 8, 1, 8, 9 in order to enable the operator to set in or enter inthe machine any arbitrary amount, by separate figures. An arrangement ofthis kind is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. l where plates 5, 1,8, v8 are provided, besides slots I5, I8, I1, I8 with keys I8, I I, I2,I3 separately operating them.

It is preferable that the keys I8, II, I2, I3 operate the cooperatingplates 8, 1, 8, 9 only by thrust and are independent from them in orderto prevent said keys I8, II, I2, I3 from being shifted when one of themaster keys 83 is actuated and to permit for an interengagement of theseveral manipulating parts as hereinafter described. Such an arrangementis shown diagrammatically in Fig. 18 where each plate 8, 1, 8, 8 isprovided with a lug 8! which is adapted to be operated only by thrust bythe cooperating key I8, I I I2, I 3.

The described apparatus is provided with engaging means to hold each keyin its operative position along the full duration of operation, aswell-as with interlocking means for preventing operation of otheritemkeys 83 when one of them has been manipulated. Figs. 18 and 19 showan arrangement directed to prevent the manipulatlon of any of usual orfigure-keys I8, II, I2, I3 when any of item-keys 83 has beenmanipulated, and vice versa. This mechanism will be described in detailhereinafter.

The machine also includes means for counting the operations of theseveral item-keys 83 to ascertain the number of times each of said keyshas been manipulated for the purpose of checking the number of ticketsissued thereby and the money cashed thereon.

To engage each item-key 83 in the position it has been carried, each ofsaid keys is provided (Fig. 18) with a tail 54 having a notch 55 and aslope 55 while a plate 51 is mounted to reciprocate in the machine frameand has a slot 58 in register with each key 83 said slot being intendedto provide for the motion of tail 54 therethrough. Said plate 51- isunder the action of a return spring (not shown) acting thereon in thedirection of the arrow. when a key 83pis manipulated for setting in orentering its respective item, the slope 55 of its tall 54 on enteringthe slot 58 causes the plate 51 to move back, said plate beingthereafter restored in the direction of arrow and becoming thus engagedwith the key-notch 55. Thus said key is held in its depressed positionuntil plate 51 is shifted at the end of the operation carried out by themachine, by a conventional device corresponding to the mechanismindicated by refer ence characters H1, H8, I28, and 94: of Fig. of U. S.Patent No. 1,521,601, said mechanism being actuated by acam on shaft 43.

Plate 58 which is acted on in the direction of arrow afllxed thereto bya return spring not shown, is directed to prevent the manipulation ofany other item keys 83 on any of them having been manipulated. For sucha purpose the plate 58 is provided in register with ,each key 83 with aslot 58 providing for the passage of the key slope tail 54 therethrough;said item-key slopetail 54 on acting on plate 58 moves it against thearrow to shift other slots 58 of plate 58 off from register with tails54 of other item-keys 83 and to carry an imperforate portion of saidplate under said tails to prevent the manipulation of keys 88.

In cooperation with separate figure-keys I8, II, I2, l3 intended forseparate actuation of plates 5, 1, 8, 9 a locking plate BI is provided,which is subject to a spring and acts to engage the manipulated one ofsaid keys in its manipulated position.

Finally, the whole of keys I8, II, I2, I3 are under the control of alocking plate 82 (Figs. 18, 19, and 28) intended to engage notches 53 ofall said, keys when any of the item-key 83 has been manipulated. Saidplate 82 is under the control of arm 54 of hell crank lever 84, 55 whoseopposite arm 85 is shifted by mutual locking plate 59 of the item-keysaftera certain lost motion of said plate, the manipulation of any ofitemkeys I5 locking all said keys I8, II, I2, I? by means of plate 82.

Finally, all the keys I8, II, I2, I3 by their cam portions 55 drive asliding plate 51 which by means of an arm of a bell crank lever 58, 68causes a partial stroke of plate 59 under tails 54 of keys 83 wheneither of keys I8, Ii, I2, I3 has been manipulated, all the item-keys 83being then looked. I

As shown in Fig. 21, a counter represented diagrammatically by 18, H,12, 83 is provided in respect ofeach item-key 83 to enter the totalnumber of manipulations of the respective key. For such a purpose,a'lever 14, 15 is provided in respect of each key 83, said lever beingfulcrumed at 18 and being actuated by the tall 54 of its respective key83. Each lever 14, 15 actuates by means of a cooperating rod 18 a pawl88 fulcrumed at 82 on a cross bar 8I which is reciprocated after themanipulation of each key 83 by the general operation of the machine.Cross bar 8I is actuated by motion transmitted from shaft 43 bymechanism corresponding to that shown in Fig. 28 of French Patent No.551,417 for transmitting motion from shaft I 88 to cross bar 2I8.

Each counter "-13 may be of the kind illustrated in German Patent No.187,339 dated May 24, 1898, the arm 0 of the device shown in said Germanpatent being arranged to be engaged by the respective pawl 88 which hasbeen shifted upwardly (as illustrated in respect of counter H) by theoperation of respective rod 19, lever 14, 15 and key 83, and driven bysaid pawl on the bar 8I being reciprocated.

In the described machine the operation of the setting-in members orplates depends merely on the location of actuating teeth 23, 24, 25, 28(or 28', 24', 25', 28') on the manipulating member or key 83 and isindependent of the position said key 88 has in the keyboard that is itdoes not depend upon the particular slot of the groups of plates 8, 1,8, 8 it is located in. Therefore said keys 83 may be arranged in anypreferred made in a quite simple manner by withdrawing and insertingsaid item-keys from and into plate slots. For such a purpose it issufficient to cause all said. plates 6, 1, 8, 9 of all groups to-moveforward to positions in which they permit of the passage of teeth ofkeys 83. For such a purpose, a special key similar to a key 83 andprovided with cams for shifting all plates 6, I, 8, 9 of all groups maybe used. Such a key may be constructed according to the showing in Figs.22, 23, and 24. The key 830 comprises four elements 210, 280, 290, and300, which correspond to the elements 21, 28, 29, and 30 shown in Figs.8 and 9 and which cooperate with the profiled edges of the openings l5,l6, l1, and i8 of plates 6, I, 8, and 8. The thinnest parts Hill of key830 correspond to base parts 21, 28, 29, and 30 of keys 83 and thesloped surfaces IOI correspond to the cam surfaces associated with theelements 21, 28, 29, v

and 30 of keys 83. The essential difference between keys 83 and 838resides in the fact that the cam surfaces I02 of key 830 engage allplates 6, 1, 8, and 9, whereas the cam surfaces of keys 83 engage onlycertain selected plates 6, I, 8, and 9. Obviously, upon inserting key830 in one set of openings in plates 8, l, 8, and 9, all of said plateswill be shifted to permit the removal of keys 83.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United StatesLetters Patent is:-

1. In a cash register or computing machine, a plurality of stopsarranged in a row, parallel movable plates each cooperating with one ofsaid stops for shifting it, each of said plates'having slots and saidslots being in register with each other in said several plates,engagingmeans on one edge of each of said plate slots, said engaging means beingdifferently located in those of said plates which cooperate with saidseveral stops, manipulating members each extending through registeringslots in said plates, and means on each of said manipulating memberscooperating with the engaging means of selected plates for selectiveactuation of said plates to shift said respective stops.

2. In a cash register or computing machine, shii'table setting inmembers arranged in several columns and rows, parallel movable plateseach cooperating with one of said setting in members for shifting it,each of said plates having slots and said slots being in register witheach other in said several plates, said plates being arranged in groups,each 01' which contains a number of plates corresponding to the numberof columns of setting in members, engaging means carried by said plates,said engaging means being differently located in those of said plateswhich cooperate with said setting in members belonging.

to different columns, manipulating members each extending throughregistering slots of said plates, and means on each of said manipulatingmembers cooperating with the engaging means of respective plates forselective actuation of said plates to shift said respective setting inmembers.

3. In a cash register or computing machine shiftable setting in membersarranged in sevand projecting into said slots in another portion oftheir extent, manipulating members each extending through registeringslots of said plates,

and means on each of said manipulating members cooperating with therespective plate lugs for selective actuation of said respective settingin members.

4. In a cash register or computing machine, shiftable setting in membersarranged in several columns and rows, parallel movable plates eachcooperating with one of said setting in members for shifting it, each ofsaid plates having slots and said 'slots being in register with eachother in said several plates, said plates being arranged in groups, eachof which contains a number of plates corresponding to the number ofcolumns of setting in members, cam-engaging on one edge of each of saidplate slots, said camengaging being diflerently located in the ones ofsaid plates which cooperate with said setting in members belonging todifferent columns, manipulating members each comprising a stem movablethrough registering slots of said plates and cams on said stemcooperating with the respective plate cam engaging for selectiveactuation of said plates to shift said respective setting in members.

A'I'I'ILIO ERRERA.

said plates to shift

